The influence of chilling rate and fat cover on beef quality

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Aalhus ◽  
J. A. M. Janz ◽  
A. K. W. Tong ◽  
S. D. M. Jones ◽  
W. M. Robertson

The economic advantages of rapid carcass chilling include reduced cooling time, increased carcass processing rate, and decreased shrink and drip losses; however, it may also reduce subsequent meat tenderness, especially in lean carcasses. The present study examined the effects of blast chilling and electrical stimulation on quality of longissimus lumborum (LL) and semimembranosus muscles from carcasses with a wide range in backfat thickness (0 to 69 mm). Despite promoting a wide range in postmortem pH and temperature decline, backfat thickness had a limited effect on meat quality. There was a decrease in the proportion of carcasses with very high (>35 N cm–2) shear values and a tendency (P = 0.12) for the average shear force to decrease in the LL as backfat depth increased. Unexpectedly, leaner carcasses had less shrink loss than fatter carcasses under blast chill conditions. While blast chilling resulted in slightly darker, tougher meat, electrical stimulation was able to reduce these effects. Neither early postmortem pH nor temperature at 10 h was clearly associated with a pattern in shear force, although high pH10 was associated with tough steaks. Blast chilling in combination with electrical stimulation can be recommended to industry as a means to reduce chilling times and shrink losses while producing meat quality that is as good as, or slightly superior to conventionally cooled carcasses. Key words: Beef quality, blast chilling, electrical stimulation, fat thickness

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Vincent ◽  
S. D. M. Jones ◽  
L. E. Jeremiah ◽  
J. A. Newman ◽  
M. A. Price

Three groups of once-calved (OCH) heifers were slaughtered following the weaning of their calves at 3 (OCH3, n = 32), 5 (OCH5, n = 33) and 7 (OCH7, n = 31) months postcalving. A fourth group of heifers was fed a silage/grain diet and slaughtered at 15 mo of age (C, n = 32). Alternate sides of each carcass were electrically stimulated (ES) at 475 volts for 1 min (20 pulses m−1, 60 Hz) at 45 min post-stunning. All left sides were dissected into fat, lean and bone and meat quality parameters recorded. Rib eye steaks were evaluated for palatability by a trained panel and for consumer acceptability after an aging period of 6 d. All OCH groups produced heavier carcasses with a higher level of marbling than the C group after adjustment of the data to a constant proportion of carcass fatness, but the proportional yields of lean and bone tissue were similar for all heifer groups. OCH groups produced meat that was darker with a lower drip loss and higher 45 min and 6 d pH than the C group. Consumer acceptability of rib eye steaks was similar for all heifer groups, but the OCH7 (oldest) group had a higher amount of connective tissue when evaluated by a trained panel than other heifer groups. Taste panel evaluations showed that ES increased meat tenderness and overall palatability and reduced the amount of connective tissue when compared to meat from unstimulated carcasses. ES also increased the consumer acceptability of tenderness by 14.3%, flavor by 5.6%, juiciness by 5.2% and overall palatability by 6.7% over meat from unstimulated carcasses. It was concluded that once-calved heifers could produce heavier carcasses of similar composition and meat with similar eating quality to conventionally managed nonpregnant feedlot heifers. Electrical stimulation improved the consumer acceptability of meat primarily through an improvement in meat tenderness. Key words: Beef, carcass, electrical stimulation, meat quality, once-calved heifers


2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 1434 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Thompson ◽  
R. Polkinghorne ◽  
M. Porter ◽  
H. M. Burrow ◽  
R. A. Hunter ◽  
...  

The effect of repeated implantation with 20 mg oestradiol-17β (Compudose 100) on carcass and meat quality traits was investigated using 478 Bos indicus and B. indicus × Bos taurus cross steers finished on either pasture or grain to achieve carcass weight for one of three market end points (domestic, 220 kg; Korean, 280 kg; or Japanese, 340 kg). In the oestradiol-17β treatment group, animals were administered implants at ~100-day intervals, with the number of implants administered to any steer ranging from one to eight. Cattle were slaughtered and at boning the anterior portion of the M. longissimus lumborum was removed and frozen after aging for 1 day for later objective meat quality measurements (shear force, compression and cook loss %). The adjoining portion was aged for 14 days before consumer sensory testing using the Meat Standards Australia protocols. Each sample was scored for tenderness, juiciness, like flavour and overall liking by 10 untrained consumers. Implanting increased carcass weights and ossification scores (P < 0.05) and reduced marbling scores in comparison to non-implanted carcasses. For tenderness, like flavour, overall liking and MQ4 scores there was a significant (P < 0.05) interaction between B. indicus content and oestradiol-17β treatment, whereby high B. indicus content cattle that were implanted with oestradiol-17β had the lowest sensory scores. The number of implants administered did not affect carcass weights or marbling scores, whereas ossification scores increased in carcasses as the number of implants increased. The number of implants administered had no effect (P > 0.05) on sensory scores, or objective meat tenderness.


2016 ◽  
Vol Volume 112 (Number 7/8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Y. Chulayo ◽  
Voster Muchenje ◽  
◽  
◽  

Abstract The objective of the study was to determine the effects of animal class and genotype of cattle on Muscularis longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) nanostructure, ultimate pH (pHu), colour and tenderness of beef. We found significant positive relationships between distance travelled (DT) and meat temperature (Tm) (p less than 0.01); lairage duration (LDhr) and lightness of colour (L*) (p less than 0.01); ambient temperature (Ta) and L* (p less than 0.05) and LDhr and yellowness (b*) (p less than 0.05) of beef from Bonsmara cattle. Positive linear relationships were observed between DT and Tm (p less than 0.05) and DT and L* (p less than 0.01) of the non-descript cattle. There were no significant relationships between pre-slaughter stress and other beef quality parameters (pHu, Warner– Bratzler shear force [WBSF], redness [a*] and b*) of Bonsmara, Nguni and non-descript cattle. Muscle fibres differed among class and genotype and had an effect on meat quality. The Bonsmara, non-descript and Nguni cows and heifers had visible skeletal muscle fibres which were thin and long, promising improved tenderness of beef. Genotype and class had significant effects on meat quality parameters (Tm, pHu, L*, a*, b* and WBSF). The first important principal components as they appeared from the analysis were pHu, Tm, L*, a*, b* and WBSF. Therefore, animal class did not affect the nanostructure of beef; instead, meat tenderness was enhanced by the longer and visible muscle fibres. Nguni cattle produced meat of superior quality to that of the Bonsmara and the non-descript cattle.


2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 58-63
Author(s):  
B Agbeniga ◽  
EC Webb

In a previous study regarding the effects of Kosher and conventional slaughter techniques on carcass and meat quality of cattle, it was speculated that electrical stimulation may have affected some of the meat qualities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) and non-electrical stimulation (NES) on key carcass and meat quality attributes of cattle slaughtered by Kosher vs. conventional slaughter methods. Carcass pH and temperature profiles over a 24 h post mortem (pm) period, meat shear force and water holding capacity were investigated in feedlot type cattle of comparable weights and breed types. Results showed that the combined effects of slaughter methods did not influence the meat quality attributes, but there were differences within the slaughter groups. The effect of ES on carcass pH lasted longer within the conventionally slaughtered group (12 h), than in the Kosher slaughter group (6 h). Muscle samples from the ES groups for both slaughter methods were more tender. Electrical stimulation also had a significant effect on the cooking loss from Kosher meat, while there was no significant difference in meat from the conventional slaughter methods. The results show that ES influences certain meat and carcass quality attributes of cattle, based on the way cattle were slaughtered.Keywords: Carcass pH, cooking loss, drip loss, electrical stimulation, shear force, slaughter technique


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 1642-1655
Author(s):  
Prabhu Balan ◽  
Mustafa M. Farouk ◽  
Maryann Staincliffe ◽  
Adam D Stuart ◽  
Robert Kemp ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study is to characterize the impact of additional electrical stimulation (AES) and various pre-rigor holding temperatures (for 3 h) on the ageing-potential of hot boned bovine M. longissimus lumborum (LL).Methods: Paired LL loins from 12 bulls were hot-boned within 40 min of slaughter, immediate AES applied and subjected to various holding temperatures (5°C, 15°C, 25°C, and 35°C) for 3 h.Results: AES did not accelerate the rate of rigor attainment, but the 3 h pre-rigor holding temperature did. Shear force values decreased as the pre-rigor holding temperatures increased. AES and holding for 3 h (at 25°C) resulted in higher water-holding capacity.Conclusion: Data confirmed that AES did not influence the various meat quality parameters in the present study, but pre-rigor holding temperature (25°C) alone or in combination with AES resulted in superior meat quality.


2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 770 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Ferguson ◽  
F. D. Shaw ◽  
J. L. Stark

A study involving two groups of feedlot cattle (n = 84 and 112) was undertaken to compare the effect of two preslaughter lairage (L) durations (3 h v. 18 h) on carcass and meat quality properties. The cattle were grainfed for 150 days before slaughter and had a mean carcass weight of 347.0 ± 25.4 kg. Cattle from the same feedlot pen were randomly allocated to the two treatments on the day before slaughter. One group was transported to the abattoir the day before slaughter and held overnight (L–18 h) whereas the other group remained at the feedlot and was transported the following morning and remained in the lairage for 3 h before slaughter (L–3 h). After slaughter, meat quality was evaluated on a subset of 15 carcasses/lairage treatment from the two slaughter groups. Objective meat quality measures were made on unaged and 14-day-aged striploins (longissimus lumborum) from these carcasses. Cattle from the reduced lairage treatment had heavier bled bodyweights at slaughter (P < 0.05) but there was no effect (P > 0.05) on carcass weight, muscle glycogen concentration, pH3h, ultimate pH, shear force or Minolta lightness values. Significant interactions (P < 0.05) between lairage duration and aging were observed for cooking loss percentage and Minolta a* and b* values but these were relatively small in magnitude. There were no differences in the incidence of ingesta contamination or rumen rupture between the lairage treatments. It was concluded that shortening holding times in lairage from 18 to 3 h for cattle that have travelled <6 h would not affect carcass or beef quality.


1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-439
Author(s):  
H. L. BRUCE ◽  
R. O. BALL

Meat tenderness may be improved by accelerating muscle metabolism or by damaging muscle structure and increasing the solubility of muscle proteins. Pre- and postrigor protein and collagen solubilities were measured in semitendinosus muscles, removed pre-rigor from 24 Charolais crossbred steer carcasses, that were either unstimulated or electrically stimulated (115 V, 0.25 amp, 60 Hz) within 1 h postexsanguination to accelerate muscle metabolism. Temperature, pH, Hunterlab color reflectance, sarcomere length and lactate concentration were measured during ageing. Shear force was measured on aged (7 d) muscle only. Low voltage electrical stimulation increased glycolytic rate as indicated by significantly (P < 0.05) lower pH and higher L-lactate concentrations of stimulated muscles as compared to control muscles. Total and sarcoplasmic protein solubilities decreased due to ageing, and myofibrillar protein solubility increased; however, collagen solubilities were unchanged. Low voltage electrical stimulation did not affect color reflectance, sarcomere length or shear force, indicating that an increased rate of glycolysis alone was not sufficient to effect increases in meat tenderness. Key words: Beef, electrical stimulation, meat quality, muscle


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1867 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Schatz ◽  
S. Thomas ◽  
G. Geesink

The growth of 116 Brahman (BRAH) and 96 F1 Senepol × Brahman (F1 SEN) steers grazing improved Buffel pasture in the Northern Territory was compared. Average growth was 10 kg higher in F1 SEN during grazing in the 9 months following weaning. Twenty-five steers of each genotype were compared for feedlot performance and meat quality. There was no significant difference in feedlot growth over 73 days in a commercial feedlot. On average F1 SEN carcasses graded two boning groups lower in the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) grading system. While M. longissimus samples from both genotypes were quite tender (shear force <4 kg), F1 SEN samples were found to be significantly more tender than BRAH (−0.44 kg) by shear force testing. These results indicate that crossbreeding with a tropically adapted Bos taurus breed, such as the Senepol, may be a viable method for cattle producers with Brahman herds in northern Australia to improve the meat quality of the cattle they produce.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Rybarczyk ◽  
Robert Moroch ◽  
Daniel Polasik

The research was aimed at determining the physicochemical and sensory properties of the m. longissimus lumborum at DanAvl Hybrid (Landrace – Yorkshire) fatteners and derived from DanAvl Hybrid sows and DanAvl Duroc and Pulawska boars. Fatteners derived from DanAvl Duroc boars were characterized by better meat quality compared to DanAvl Hybrids and their hybrids with Pulawska breed as evidenced by higher pH in 24–96 h post mortem (p.m.), higher sensory evaluation of juiciness, tenderness and flavor as well as lower shear force at lower content of total protein and higher content of intramuscular fat (IMF). However, DanAvl Hybrid fatteners were characterized by poorer meat quality, i.e. higher color lightness (L*) and higher drip loss both from fresh and thawed meat compared to those derived from DanAvl Duroc and Pulawska boars. Meat of fatteners after Pulawska breed was characterized by the highest redness (a*), and that after DanAvl Duroc breed, the lowest yellowness (b*) and saturation (C*).


2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Pouliot ◽  
C. Gariépy ◽  
M. Thériault ◽  
C. Avezard ◽  
J. Fortin ◽  
...  

Pouliot, E., Gariépy, C., Thériault, M., Avezard, C., Fortin, J., Simmons, N. J. and Castonguay, F. W. 2012. Effects of low-voltage electrical stimulation and aging on lamb meat quality. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 59–66. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation (ES) and aging time on meat quality of heavy lamb as produced in Quebec. Seventy-six Suffolk-sired crossbred male lambs were slaughtered at a target weight of 50±2 kg. Half of them were electrically stimulated (ES vs. control) at 5–10 min postmortem (21 V; 0.25 A; 60 s). Postmortem pH decline and temperature were monitored. After carcass cutting, longissimus dorsi sections were assigned to aging periods of 1, 3 or 8 d. Temperature decline was the same for both treatments (P=0.749). However, ES carcasses always had a lower pH value than controls during the first 24 h (P<0.001) while the ultimate pH was equivalent (P=0.803). Tenderness, as assessed by either Warner-Bratzler shear force (39 carcasses) or sensory evaluation (35 carcasses) was enhanced by both ES (P<0.001) and aging (P<0.001). At each aging time, tenderness was greater for ES meat. In addition, only 3 d of aging were necessary for ES meat to achieve the tenderness level attained by the controls after 8 d. Sarcomeres were longer (P<0.001) in ES meat than in controls while myofibrillar fragmentation index was not affected by ES treatment (P=0.743). Electrical stimulation also had small effects on color parameters (a*, b* and L*; P<0.01) and flavor (P=0.04). These results provide the first evidence that tenderness of the meat from heavy lambs produced and processed in Quebec could be enhanced by ES, mostly through cold shortening reduction.


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